The Best of Sri Lanka

Day 1 London, In Flight
We begin with Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service® to London Heathrow Airport for your direct scheduled Sri Lankan Airlines flight to Colombo.

Day 2 Colombo
On arrival in Colombo we transfer to the Gateway Hotel (2013). This flourishing seaport is Sri Lanka’s commercial centre; a curious mix of eastern tradition and western sophistication. Our afternoon tour includes a visit to the fort built by the Portuguese and also an exploration of the buzzing Pettah bazaar district, where the streets are crammed with stalls and shops.

Day 3 Colombo, Anuradhapura, Habarana
This morning we head north to Anuradhapura, ruled by the Sinhalese Kings for over 1,000 years. Star attractions include ancient Buddhist shrines, dagobas (bell-shaped memorials) and pokunas (stone water tanks). We also visit the sacred 2,000-year-old Sri Maha Bodi tree, before continuing our journey to Habarana. Here we stay at the Cinnamon Lodge, set in the heart of the ‘Cultural Triangle’, for three nights.

Day 4 Habarana, Hiriwaduna Village, Sigiriya
After breakfast, we visit a typical Sri Lankan village for a fascinating introduction to local culture and indigenous farming practices. Further adventure awaits in Sigiriya, a 182m rock plateau on which the 5th century ruler, Kasyapa, built a fortress and palace. The spectacular ‘lion rock’ fortress stands majestically over the lush green jungle surroundings, whilst carved in a niche in the rocks are the famous frescoes of beautiful women.

Day 5 Polonnaruwa
The glamour and wealth of a bygone age are evident in Polonnaruwa, built in the 12th century by King Parakramabahu. The remains of the King’s Palace include shrines, temples, dagobas and the Gal Vihara, with its fi ne rock sculptures of the Buddha. The city is dominated by the ancient reservoir, known locally as the Sea of Parakrama. This excursion is included for departures in 2012 and optional for departures in 2013.

Day 6 Habarana, Dambulla, Kandy
Today’s tour takes in a splendid visit to the serene Golden Temple at Dambulla, named for its gilded interior. Marvel at the recumbent figure of the Buddha hewn from solid rock and explore each of the five magical caves that comprise the shrine. We stop at a spice garden before reaching Kandy, the hill capital of Sri Lanka, which nestles amongst low hills looped by the Mahaweli River. The evening is spent at leisure at the very comfortable Chaaya Citadel, our accommodation for the next two nights.

Day 7 Royal Botanical Gardens, Temple of the Tooth
This morning’s tour reveals the scenic wonder of the gorgeous Royal Botanical Gardens where you can admire stunning flora and fauna. The afternoon is at leisure, but you may wish to take an optional excursion to the Elephant Sanctuary at Pinnawela, where orphaned and injured elephants are rescued and lovingly cared for. This evening, watch Kandyan dancers perform the enchanting national dance of Sri Lanka before continuing our journey to the sacred Temple of the Tooth.

Day 8 Kandy, Nuwara Eliya
We continue to Nuwara Eliya, built during the 19th century in an architectural style mimicking that of an old English country town. This famous home of Ceylon Tea is set 1,900m above sea level, at the foot of Mount Piduruthalagala. ‘Tea country’ Victorian and Tudor style homes line the pretty blue lake, adding to its charm. After relaxing at our night’s accommodation, either the St Andrew’s Hotel or The Grand Hotel, we head to the wonderful Colonial Hill Club for High Tea.

Day 9 Nuwara Eliya, Pedro Tea Plantation, Elephant Transit Home, Yala
Tea lovers will be in their element on this fabulous tour to a tea plantation, where tea workers, or pluckers, pick each delicate leaf by hand. See the entire manufacturing process, from grading the tea by quality and size through to its final preparation. Our journey continues to the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawe, which is sponsored by the Born Free Trust. Unlike many other sanctuaries, this home rehabilitates orphaned and injured elephants until they are strong and old enough to be released back into the wild. We continue to Cinnamon Wild Yala where we stay for two nights.

Day 10 Yala National Park
We rise early for our safari in Sri Lanka’s best known national park in search of the elusive Sri Lankan leopard. Even if we fail to catch a glimpse of this majestic predator, there is much else to see, including elephants, buffalo, monkeys, deer and crocodiles. Relax at leisure back at Chaaya Wild, or perhaps join an optional evening bird trail with an expert local guide.

Day 11 Yala, Galle, Colombo
The Old Town of Galle, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in southern Asia. The Portuguese first took control of the city in the early 16th century and began the fortification process, only to surrender it to the Dutch East India Company around 150 years later. The Dutch built substantial ramparts and walls, which are still standing today, and the British, who later controlled the country, left them intact and unchanged. Following our short tour we head to Colombo for an overnight stay at the Gateway Hotel.

Day 12 Colombo, London
Today we transfer to Colombo Airport for our direct scheduled Sri Lankan Airlines flight to London. Arrival at London Heathrow Airport where our staff will greet you and transfer you to Titan transport for your journey home to your own front door.

Titan Travel have a reputation for innovative and enthralling escorted holiday itineraries, and through the guidance of their founding principles, “quality, service and value” which have remained unchanged since the 1970′s, their expertise and experience are second to none.

Titan Travel strive to ensure that aspect of their holidays whispers quality, before you fly, you get to appreciate a comfortable, chauffeur-driven transfer from your front door to the airport with our peerless VIP Home Departure Service, check-in assistance and complimentary porterage. All international flights are with world-renowned scheduled airlines and cruises with acclaimed operators. Touring holidays are expertly designed by the product team to present a comprehensive, imaginative introduction to the destination of choice yet still offer plenty of time for relaxation. The services of a tour manager or cruise manager are included throughout. When you return to the UK, you are met in the arrivals hall of the airport and shown to your VIP Home Departure Service vehicle, waiting to return you to your front door.

Our Opinion
“Titan Travel’s guiding principles of customer service, quality of product and value for money are undoubtedly a contributing factor to them being voted, on many occasions, the UK’s best tour operator.”